IIR 2 340 0317 90/IRAQI USE OF A NEW BLISTER AGENT IN IRAN-IRAQ WAR

File: 971030_23400317_90_001.txt
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SUBJECT:  IIR 2 340 0317 90/IRAQI USE OF A NEW BLISTER AGENT IN IRAN-IRAQ WAR


WARNING:  THIS IS AN INFORMATION REPORT, NOT FINALLY EVALUATED INTELLIGENCE.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

DOI:  860717

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					WITNESSED A CHEMICAL ATTACK AND WAS IN CONTACT WITH CHEMICAL CASUALTIES.

SUMMARY:      THIS REPORT FORWARDS INFORMATION REGARDING USE AND EFFECTS OF A BLISTER AGENT BY IRAQ DURING THE IRAN-IRAQ WAR.

TEXT:     1.       SYMPTOMS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE -- WATERY EYES (IMMEDIATE REACTION), AFFECTED AREA TURNED WHITE (30 SECONDS), RED CIRCLE AROUND WHITE AREA, SWELLING OF AFFECTED AREA, WHITE AREA TURNED BROWN (20-24 HOURS), BROWN AREA TURNED INTO AN OPEN WOUND (ONE WEEK).  (FLD CMT  --   [b.1. sec. 1.5.c.] REFERRED TO THE AGENT AS PHOSGENE.  HOWEVER, THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED MATCH THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PHOSGENE OXIME (CX)  [b.2.]

2.       USAGE  --  [b. 1. sec. 1.5.c.]    STATED THAT PHOSGENE WAS ONLY USED BY IRAQ A FEW TIMES.   [b.1. sec. 1.5.c.]  FELT THAT IRAQ'S EMPLOYMENT OF PHOSGENE WAS FOR TESTING PURPOSES.

3.       PENETRATION  --  [b.1. sec 1.5.c.]  STATED THAT PHOSGENE COULD PENETRATE THE M-17 PROTECTIVE MASK, AND AN U/I WEST GERMAN PROTECTIVE MASK.  (FLD CMT -- IRANIAN TROOPS HAD TROUBLE WITH FITTING MASKS PROPERLY BECAUSE MANY IRANIANS WERE BEARDED.   [b.1. sec. 1.5.c.]  STATED THAT MANY OF THE IRANIAN TROOPS WERE ILL-DISCIPLINED IN THEIR USE OF CHEMICAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.)

4.       COMPOSITION --  [b.1. sec. 1.5.c.]      STATED THAT PHOSGENE TURNED FROM A PASTE TO AN OILY LIQUID AT 20 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.   [b.1. sec. 1.5.c.]  ALSO STATED THAT PHOSGENE WOULD TURN GASEOUS AT VERY HIGH AIR TEMPATURES, SIMILAR TO THOSE IN SAUDI ARABIA.

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